Drier



Jan 23, w40.

R. G. lBAUGHMAN DRIER Filed April 8. 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l /1/5 A 7'TURA/E if Jan. 23, 1940. l R. G. BAUGHMAN DRIER Filed April 8, 1938 5Sheets-fSheet 5 /NVE/V TUE'. EA Y E', BANG/WAN.

/1/5 A T T'UHWE'Y.

Patented Jan. 23, 1940 UNITED l STATESl Damn. Ray G. Bauglnnan, Linton,Ind.

Application April s, 199s, serai-No. 200,963

4 claims. (ol. s45-a7) This invention relates to an apparatus for dryingloose material and is designed more particularly for drying coal of the'smaller sizes after the coal has been washed.

5 One object of the invention is to 'provide a drier which will besimple in constructionand eilicient in 'operation and which will havefew moving parts. f

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a drier in which thecirculation'of the drying medium will be so controlled as to causesubstantially equal quantities thereof to pass through al portions ofthe material being dried.

. A further object of the invention is to provide such a drier in'whicheach part yof the drying medium will pass through the material at leasttwice during the vpassage of the drying medium throughthe apparatus,thus fully utilizing the heat of the drying medium.-l

A further object of the invention is to provide na material loweringdevice of such a, character y that the weight of the material will bedistributed throughout the height of the device and the material willbeso supported that it'will have little 'or no tendency to pack.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means forcontrolling the movement of the material through the*l lowering device.A further object of the invention is to provide a drier having amaterial lowering device of such a character that the material will movegently through the drier, thus causing a minimum of degradation orbreakingthereof.

Other yobjects of the invention may appear as the apparatus is describedin detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical section oi anapparatus embodying my invention, taken transversely to the loweringdevice: Fig. 2 isa transverse section taken on the 40 line 2--2 oi Fig.l; Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3 3, through a portionof the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig.I 4 is a vertical section takencentrally through amodiiled form of the apparatus; Fig. 5 is a verticalsection taken centrally through another modied form ofthe apparatus;Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 8 6 -of Fig.- 5; and Fig. '7 is afront elevation of a portion of the apparatus, showing the inlet conduitin section. In these drawings I have illustrated certain embodiments ofthe invention, each of which is designed primarily for drying coal. Itwill be understood, however, thatthe apparatus may be utilized fordrying loose materials of various kinds and that the construction andarrangement of f the apparatus may take various forma Ineach formillustrated' the apparatus comprises a vertical frame or housing I0within which is arranged a material lowering device adaptedl to permitthe material to move downwardly at a relatively` low speed andgto exposethe material 5 to the action of a drying medium. In its pret ferred formthis material lowering devicecom- Prises two substantially verticalopposedv series.

0f shelves, II and I2, vthe shelves of the two series being arranged instaggered relation one to the 1 0 other' and being in the presentinstancesecured at their ends directly to the respective side walls Illaof the housing. Each shelf of each series is arranged in an inclinedplane which intersects the next lower shelf of the vother series and has15 l its lower edge substantially in the same vertical plane as thelower edge of said next lower shelf.

By reason of this arrangement each shelf extends entirely across thepath of the moving column of material and the'entire mass of material iscaused 20 to move in a zigzag path, no part of the material beingarranged in a straight. verticalcolumn. In this manner the Aentireweight of the column of material is distributed between the severalshelves and there is little or `notendency of the material- .35 -1 topack, as frequently results when any part of ythe material is arrangedin a straight column.

Further, this arrangement of the shelves imparts a very completeagitation to the moving column vof coal and causes. the component partsof tle mass to be turned over'as vthe mass moves 'from one'shelf toanother, thereby exposing vall parts of the material to the action ofthe drying medium. Preferably each inclined shelf is provided at itsupper and outer edge with an upwardly ex- 35 A tending ilange or wall I3which serves both to increase the capacity of the shelf and to reinforceor stiilen the same.

The material to be dried is delivered to the lowering device by a hoppersupported in the 40 v upper part of the housing I0, and havingdownwardly converging bottom walls Il and l5, the lower edges oi whichare spacedapa'rt to provide a discharge opening.' The lower edge porltion of the bottom wall I 5 projects beyond the 45 terial loweringdevice is located constitutes a drying chamber,'which is closed at itsupper end 55' infr-E ri'lA ori-*ICE ff by inclined, partitions and |8extending between the bottom walls of the hopper and the front and rearwalls respectively of the housing. The lower end of this drying chamberis defined by downwardly converging partitions or walls I9 and 20, thelower edges of which are spaced apart to provide a discharge opening 2|for the material from the lower device. arranged in a .planeintersecting the lower portion of the wall I9 and has its lower edgespaced from that wall. Thus the walls i9 and 20 in effect form a part ofthe material lowering device. Arranged beneath the discharge opening 2|is a feeding-out roller 22 which extends for the full width of thelowering device and is provided at its ends with flanges 23 to preventthe material from moving endwise of the roller. This roller is soarranged with relation to the discharge opening 2| lthat when the rolleris stationary little or no material will pass through the opening butwhen the roller `is rotated it will carry the material from the openingto a chute 24 which in turn discharges it onto a conveyor 25 whichconveys it to a desired poirit of discharge. Thus the movement of thecolumn of coal through the lowering device is controlled by thefeeding-out roller and the speed at which the column of coalmoves may beregulated by varying the speedat which the roller operates. The rollermay be operated in any suitable manner and, in the present instance,isdriven by an electric motor 26 which is connected by a belt 21 withla. pulley 28 on the shaft 29 of the roller. In case of an emergency itis sometimes desirable that the feeding-out mechanism should be operatedby hand to remove the material. from the drier. For example, in theevent of the failure of power for operating the mechanism the movement fthe column of coal through the lowering device would be interrupted` andthe heat of the drying medium might in some instances be sufiicient toignite the coal if the latter was allowed to remain stationary for anysubstantial length of time. I have therefore provided means whereby thefeeding-out roller may be manually operated and for this purpose aclutch 30 is interposed between the shaft 29 and .the belt pulley 28 andthe shaft is provided with a square end 3| adapted`to receive a handcrank 32. Thus in the event of the failure of power the roller may bedisconnected from themotor and rotated by hand to remove the materialfrom the drier.

The drying medium may be of any suitable character and may be circulatedthrough the drierY in any suitable manner. In that form of the apparatusshown in Fig. l an inlet conduit 33 conducts the drying medium, such ashot gases, from the source of supply to the lower portion of the drierwhere it is passed through the material in the lower part of thematerial lowering device and then conducted to the upper portion of thedrying chamber and passed through the material in the upper portion ofthe lowering device and discharged through an outlet conduit 34. In thearrangement shown in Fig. 1 the inlet and outlet conduits bothcommunicate with the front wall of' the drying chamber. In order todistribute the incoming dryingfmedium substantially equally to thevarious parts of the column of material in the lower portion. of theloweringidevice the inlet conduit is provided' with a ared end portionwhich is arranged within the housing and is of such size' as to embracea substantial part of the shelves' on the adjacent side of the lowerportion of the 'Ihe wall 20 is lower device. In the arrangement shownthe bottom wall I9 of the drying chamber constitutes the lower wall ofthis flared portion of the inlet conduit and the upper wall is shown at35. A

plurality of transverse partitions 38 divided the interior of the endportion of the inlet conduit into a corresponding plurality ofpassageways which communicate with the spaces between different shelveson the adjacent side oi the lowering device. In the present arrangementthere is a separate passageway for each pair of shelves, each partition36 being attached at its inner edge to the' iiange |3 of the adjacentshelf The passageways being of substantially equal capacity it will beapparent that the incoming drying medium will be distributed uniformlythroughout the lower portion of the lowering device. The drying mediumpasses between the shelves through the mass of material supported by theshelves and then out between the shelves I2 into the rear portion oi'the drying chamber where it is conducted to the upper portion of thatchamber.

In order to secure a substantially uniform delivery of the drying mediumto all parts of the upper portion of the lowering device the rear partof the drying chamber is divided by partitions 31 into a plurality ofupright conduits, in the present instance three, which at their lowerends communicate with spaces between difierent shelves I2 in the lowerportion of the lowering device and at their upper ends communicate withspaces between shelves I2 in the upper portion of the lowering device.In the arrangement shown each conduit embraces at each end the spacesbetween two pairs of shelves. After passing through the material in theupper portion of the lowering device the drying medium passes to theoutlet conduit 3|. When, as in the present instance, the outlet conduitis connected with an exhaust fan or the like, to cause the drying mediumto circulate through the drier, it is desirable that the suction createdby the fan shall be distributed substantially equally over that part ofthe drier with which the outlet conduit communicates, in the presentinstance the upper portion thereof. For this purpose the outlet conduitis provided with a flared vend portion which extends into the dryingchamber and is of such size as to embrace a substantial number ofshelves in the upper portion of the lowering device. As here shown, thewall |'I at the top of the drying chamber constitutes one wall of thisflared end of-the outlet conduit and a downwardly and inwardly inclinedwall 38 forms the bottom wall thereof. This end portion of the conduitis divided by transverse partitions 39 into a plurality of passageways,similar to those provided in the inlet conduit, which communicaterespectively with the spaces between adjacent shelves Ii of the loweringdevice. there being in the present instance a separate passageway foreach pair of shelves. Inasmuch as the exhaust fan forms no part of thepresent invention I have shown a portion only thereof, at l0.

Thus it will be apparent that the incoming drying medium passes rstthrough the lower and drier portions of the material and then throughthe upper and wetter portions of that material. The drying medium willof course lose some of its heat and take up some moisture as it passesthrough the material and in some cases it may be desirable to addadditional heat to this drying medium before it is passed through theupper portion of the material, and this may be conveniently accomplishedby bypassing a portion of the drying medium from the inlet conduit 33directly Vto lthe upright conduits in the rear portion of the'dryingchamber. As here shown, the top wall 35 of the flared portion of theinlet lconduit is provided with an opening Il ywhich is' connected y.bya passageway 2 with transverse conduits 43 which have open communicationwith the upright conduits formed bythe partitions 31. Preferably a valveals provided to control thepassage oi' the drying medium from the inletconduit to theupright conduits. It is also desirable that means beprovided to regulate expedited or retarded and the flow in the dif- Forthis purpose y dampers M are arranged within the respective uprightconduits and are provided exteriorly of the housing with separate means,such aslevers ferent conduits may be varied.

the material lowering device. In' the arrangement shown the inlet 48 hasan enlarged end portion of a vertical dimension approximately equal tothe vertical length of the lowering device,

the lower wall of lthe enlargement being secured to theiiange I3 of thelowermost shelf II`` and the upper wall of the enlargement being securedto the bottom wall It of the hopper. The end portion of the vconduit isdivided by a partition 41 into upper and lower portions so that theincoming dryingmedium is divided into two parts, one of which isdirected into the upper portion ofthe drying chamber and theother ofwhich is directed into the lower portion of the drying chamber.Preferably the passageways above and below the partitions 31 areprovided' with separately operable dampers 45 for regulating the ilowAof the drying medium therethrough.

The outlet conduit 49 also has an enlarged end portion of a size toembrace substantially the entire length. of the lowering. device, theupper wall of this enlargement being secured to the bottom wall I5 ofthe hopper and the lower wall of the enlargement being secured to theiiange i3 of the lowermost shelf i2.- Arranged within this enlarged endof theoutlet conduit and connected with the lowering device are aplurality of partitions 5.0 forming between the same passageways whichcommunicate with the spaces between adjacent shelves, there being in thepresent instance a partition ior each shelf, thereerslzc so'that theeilectivesize of each e- ,way` with relation f passed ilrst throughlated to secure the desired distribution of the suction. in tbe dryingchamber. The two parts of the outlet conduit may also be provided withdampers 53 to -further regulate the action of the suction in the dryingchamber. l

In that form. of the apparatus shownin Figs. 5, 6 and .7, the inletconduit '54 is connected with the lower part; of the drying chamber andthe outlet conduit 55 is connected with the upper part of the dryingchamber on that side of the material lowering device opposite the inletconduit. Inwardly diverging partitions 55 divide the inner end portionofthe inlet conduit into a plurality of sepa/nate passageways leading tospaces between'different shelves Il of the lower portion of the loweringdevice. On the opposite side oi' the lower portion of the loweringdevice similar inwardly diverging partitions 51 .provide passage- 'waysleading from thespaces between adjacent shelves l2 to a transverseconduit 58; which is connected at its endsv with upwardly inclinedVconduits 59 which extendacrossthe housing lilv and are connected 'attheir upper ends with asecond transverse conduit 60 which'is arranged.on that side oi the lowering device opposite the outlet conduit 55..-Passageways, formed by inoutlet conduit 55 is ilared andlis dividedby'partitions '52 intoseparate .passageways communieating respectivelywith the spaces between different shelves I2,

the lmaterial in the lower. portionof the lowering device, then carriedupward and passed through the material in the upper portion of thelowering device in the same direction that it passedthroughthe lowerportion thereof Aand is then delivered to the outlet conduit on thatside ofth'e apparatus opposite Thus thel drying medium is the inletconduit.- The conduits 58, 59 and 60 Y.

are arranged exteriorly of the housing tov avoid interference with thelowering device. In this case also means are provided Ifor supplyingadditional heat to the drying medium after it has passed throughthe'lower portion of the material. -llor this purpose passageway 54leads from the inlet conduit 54 tothe upper transverse conduitand-is'controlled by a damper 65..

While I have shownv and described certain embodiments of my invention Iwish it to be understoodthat I do not desire to be limited to thedetails thereof as various modifications' mayvv occur toja personskilled in the art.l

' Having now fully described my invention, what lation to. form aplurality of oppositely inclined passageways through which the materialmoves by gravity, the longitudinal edges of adjacent shelves of each`series being spaced one from the .other to providedteral openingscommunicating with the respective passageways yon each side of saidlowering device, an inlet conduittcomniuni-vcating with a relativelylarge group of passage- .ways'in one longitudinal portion ofsaid'lowering device 'through lateral openings in one side of saidlowering device, an outlet conduit communicating with a relatively largegroup l.of passageways in 75 another longitudinal portion of saidlowering device through lateral openings in one side of said loweringdevice, a plurality of partitions arranged on that side of said loweringdevice opposite Said inlet to form a plurality of channels whichcommunicate respectively with separate parts of the passageways of thefirst mentioned group through lateral openings on the adjacent side ofsaid lowering device and with the passageways of the last mentionedgroup through lateral openings on that :ide of said lowering deviceopposite said outlet conduit, and means for circulating a drying mediumthrough said conduits, passageways and channels.

2. In a drier, a material lowering device comprising two substantiallyvertical series of downwardly and inwardly 'inclined shelves, theshelves of the two series being arranged in staggered relation to form aplurality of oppositely inclined passageways through which the materialmoves by gravity, the longitudinal edges of adjacent' shelves of eachseries being spaced one from the other to provide lateral openingscommunicating with the respective passageways on each side ofsaid-lowering device, an inlet conduit communicating with a relativelylarge group of passageways in one longitudinal portion of said loweringdevice through lateral openings in one side of said lowering device, anoutlet conduit communicating with a relatively large group of`passageways in another longitudinal portion of said lowering devicethrough lateral openings in one side of said lowering device, aplurality of partitions arranged on that side of said lowering device-opposite said inlet conduit to form a plurality of channels, each ofsaid channels communicating at one end with a separate part of thepassageways of the iirst mentioned group through lateral openings onthat side of said lowering device opposite said Ainlet` conduit andcommunicating at its other end with a separate part of the passagewaysof the last mentioned group through lateral openings on that side ofsaid lowering device opposite said outlet conduit, and means forcirculating a drying medium through said conduits, passageways andchannels.

3. In a drier, a material lowering device comprising two substantiallyvertical series of downwardly and inwardly inclined shelves, the shelvesof the two series being arranged in staggered relation to form aplurality of oppositely inclined passageways through which the materialmoves by gravity, the longitudinal edges of adjacent shelves of eachseries being spaced one from the other to provide lateral openingscommunicating with the respective passageways on each side of saidlowering device, an inlet conduit communicating with a relatively largegroup of passageways in one longitudinal portion of said lowering devicethrough lateral openings in one side of said lowering device, an outletconduit communicating with a relatively large group o1 pas sageways inanother longitudinal portion of said lowering device through lateralopenings in one side of said lowering device, a plurality of partitionsa-rranged on that side of said lowering device opposite said inlet toform a plurality of channels which communicate' respectively withseparate parts of the passageways of the first mentioned group throughlateral openings on the adjacent side of said lowering device and withthe passageways of the last mentioned group through lateral openings onthat side of said lowering device opposite said outlet conduit, meansfor circulating a drying medium through said conduits, passageways andchannels, and means for by-passing a portion of said drying medium fromsaid inlet conduit to said channels to further heat that portion oi saiddrying medium which has passed through the material in the passagewaysof the first mentioned group.

4. In a drier, a material lowering device comprising two substantiallyvertical series of downwardly and inwardly inclined shelves, the shelvesof the two series being arranged in staggered relation to form aplurality of oppositely inclined passageways through which the materialmoves by gravity, the longitudinal edges of adjacent shelves of eachseries being spaced one from the other to provide lateral openingscommunicating with the respective passageways on each side of saidlowering device, an inlet conduit communicating with a relatively largegroup of passageways in one longitudinal portion of said lowering devicethrough lateral openings in one side of said lowering device and havinga plurality of channels each of which is connected with a separate partof the passageways of said group, an outlet conduit communicating with arelatively large group of passageways in another longitudinal portion ofsaid lowering device through lateral openings on one side of saidlowering device and having a plurality of channels each of which isconnected with a separate part of the passageways of the last mentionedgroup, partitions arranged to form a plurality of channels, each of thelast mentioned channels communicating at one end with a separate part ofthe passageways of the ilrst mentioned group through lateral openings onthat side of said lowering deviceopposite said inlet conduit andcommunicating at its other end with a separate part of the passagewaysof the last mentioned group through lateral openings on that side ofsaid lowering device opposite said outlet conduit and means forcirculating a drying medium through said conduits, passageways andchannels.

RAY. G. BAUGHMAN.

